Ireland pardons wartime deserter "heroes"

LONDON — The Irish government is to reverse what has been described as a historic injustice by granting a pardon to soldiers who deserted their units to fight the Nazis in World War II.

An amnesty and immunity bill, scheduled to be enacted on Tuesday, includes an apology to some 5,000 men who faced post-war sanctions and ostracism after they quit the defense forces of neutral Ireland to join the allied war effort against Hitler.

The measure comes too late for most of the deserters — only about 100 are believed to be still alive — but it was welcomed by their families and supporters....